Halibut limits, one or two?

[Sushihunter]

IF we were facing conservation issues on Halibut, I would agree with some of the proposals here.

But we are not. As stated by crhris73 it is an ALLOCATION issue.

Halibut stamp - Be carefull what you wish for. It will end up as another cash grab by government where they will keep 90% of whatever they collect. And we will be no further ahead. And it will cost you an extra $10 on your license.

Annual Limit - How many people does this really target? Like the yearly limit of 30 for Chinook, what percentage of fishermen do you think could fill this limit? I would bet that there are very few.

Here in Tahsis, we have to run about 35 miles before we can target Halibut. That makes a minimum of 70 miles travelling to get just one Halibut at present limits. For me to spend a day out on the water will cost me about $250 to $300 for fuel alone. Plus bait, plus lunch, plus drinks, plus plus plus.

The commercial Halibut fishermen have much product in the freezer and left a bunch more in the water from the previous year. It's not like they caught it all and sold it all with a demand for more. It's time for the commercial guys to use it or lose it. And they MUST have a market for what they take.

Don't give up what you already have without a fight. Chances are you will never get it back.

If there was a real conservation issue with Halibut, I would be the first person advocating some of these measures. But it is just DFO deciding who gets the lions share.

Keep writing those letters!

Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250

 

[ReelAffair]

I would definately recommend a yearly limit and enforce it....I was Esquimalt angler approx 3weeks after the season opened and they were saying a guy had already brought in 20+ halibut....TELL ME HE NEEDS THAT MANY

 

[Little Hawk]

Salient points Sushi.

On another forum they were debating the 'To Derby?' or 'Not to Derby?' question on halibut.

I couldn't resist so I chimed in:

At the last three SFAB meetings I attended here on the South Island never once was 'abundance' cited as a conservation concern with respect to Pacific halibut. The only concern I recall being raised by the DFO Rep was the ratio of smaller males to larger females was somewhat skewed, and that was their justification for the early Rec closures and later openings.

In many a Rec/hali fishermans' eyes, this is all a moot point when considering:

- the sport allocation is 12% of the TAC
- each pound of sport-caught halibut (vs. Commercial caught) returns about 3-times the direct economic benefit to BC.
- the commercial industry is still sitting on about a million pounds of un-sold frozen halibut from last year.
- the DFO has unjustly 'given-away' the majority of a Public Resource (Pacific Halibut) to commercial interests.

I would argue - with all due respect, Gentlemen - that in today's world where both fish-stocks and sport-fishing in general are under attack from many sides, halibut fishing is no different from any other.

The more people are doing it, the more voices there are in support of the fishery as well as improved conservation and DFO apportionment policy.

Just my 2-bits.


I wanted to point out that I highlighted the word 'apportionment' for good reason. I would encourage my fellow fishermen to replace the word 'allocation' with this word when scraping with Ottawa for higher REC/quota.

Apportionment denotes a 'FAIR' division of something.
Allocate just means to divide something; often by Government.

Again... just my 2-bits.

 

[Highliner]

Agreed Stiperjack. That's just wasteful. I'm all in favour for a annual limit.

Highliner

www.salmonboats.ca

 

[wolf]

quote:annual limit of 5 ???
that's only 5 successful trips..

Yes scott this is true but what about all the unsucessesful trips???
If anyone is getting that good at fishing then thats the time to introduce even more people to the sportof fishing. its called sport fishing for a reason.

Start taking kids out and people who never fish then you can enjoy it even more while doing it, I know I get more personal satisfaction when someone who has never been on the ocean gets a fish on and catches it the smile on there face and the excitment is contagious!!!!!

We do it because we love it and yes its great to harvest from the ocean, but lets look at the whole picture.

As for a slot size no it would only kill more and as for letting fish go dont like that at all unless the thing is lip hooked and you dont have to handle it just a quick flip of the gaff and its gone no problem or just cut the hook.

But you all bring up valid points but here is something to ponder and ill use hunting for a example I travel 3000(return) kms to go visit friends in sask. On the way stop in calagary go to wholesale sports, go to a flames game,all the while spending money

Then off to shaunovan and the go hunting the next day it has happend got my deer the first day thats it im done within 3 hours as im only allowed to take 1 deer thats it now im a passenger to spot game for the others.
I go because of the good times and friendships that I have made I know im going to get something but thats not the main purpose to go there it about escaping and being in the outdoors.

Maybe ill get about 100 to 130 lbs of meat for my harvest no different then a couple of 5 40 lb halibut that more than enough food.

Is there a difference I think not I put almost as much money if not more into a truck,gun,bino,clothing,misc gear etc.

If they were to put rules in as that I personally think if you catch it you keep it be it a 15 lb or a 80 lber till you get your limit then your gone no different then that stupid rule of hatchery coho 5 years ago or so saw so many dead coho in sooke as you would go thru 20 wild till you finally got a hatchery so many fish floating how is that right??

If I go hunting and shoot a 4 pt buck I cant leave it and go for something bigger now can I....

Point is go out get your fish and thats it.
Enjoy what we have and be thankful we still have the right to fish while we all can.

Wolf

Blue Wolf Charters
www.bluewolfcharters.com

 

[Tips Up]

quote:It wasn't too many months ago and many members of this site were arguing for more. I am uncertain where the focus should be other than what we have today is actually the same as last year, and more than likely will not deviate too far off track for next. Mason

My arguement has been for more allocation to allow us to have a Feb.1 opening and no in season closures.

Here is what I would like to see:

- The west coast region broken down into smaller management units as it is for most other fish and managed accordingly. As an example a 1 fish per day limit in Victoria/ Sooke waters as the fish are larger on average and the fishing grounds closer. A 2 fish limit in areas where the size is smaller on average and the grounds off shore.
This would allow sporties to get their fill and charter operators to run their business.
- An annual limit of 10-15 hali. This would curb "some" charters from catching their limit for guests on top of their daily limit and curb those who abuse the system by having friends take fish out of camp to keep them with in their possesion limit while they over fish.

Everyone from Sporties to charters seem to be in favor of an annual limit so what is the hold up by DFO??

- Earlier decisions and announcements to allow charter operators in regions such as Victoria to book their season. As LC has noted he has only lost 1 booking due to the 1 fish limit but I bet charters lost a lot more by not being able to take bookings when we did not know when the season would open.

What I don't want to see is a hali stamp with money going towards general revenue or (not that I think it would ever end up there but...) to buy back allacation that was unfairly given away and is not being used up by the comercial sector. This should be corrected based on the facts that commercials have proven this to be a poor split by leaving fish in the water and fish in the freezer year after year while sporties are shut down due to being over their 12%.

Here is a question for all:
If the DFO were to announce Jan. 1 of next year that the season would be Mar. 1 - Sept.31 with a 1 fish limit until June. 1 and 2 fish limit after that with a 15 fish annual limit. Would everyone be happy?

My long winded input.

Tips

 

[scott craven]

quote:

Here is a question for all:
If the DFO were to announce Jan. 1 of next year that the season would be Mar. 1 - Sept.31 with a 1 fish limit until June. 1 and 2 fish limit after that with a 15 fish annual limit. Would everyone be happy?

quote:

Everyone will have a different take on this one, but here's what i would like to see
Mar. 01 to Nov. 30 with a 1 fish daily, 2 possesion limit
15 fish annual limit.

 

[the fog ducker]

R 2 Cents

Agree % 100 percent with Searun and Captain D.
Not all of us live in areas that we can be in productive Hali waters with in a few miles of the dock , considering the price of fuel , the weather , etc , we can't allways get out to the grounds , on our scheduled fish dates , so , lets bring it back up to 2 daily , 2 possession , Annual of 10 , No Stamp Fees ,Punch Cards needed , just recorded on our license , Done ,How much meat do us Sporty's need in the Freezer ? I know alot of us West Coasters would agree to this , not all , most , Avoid the little chickens , if desired , Larger Hooks !! There may not be a conservation issue today , but , lets keep it this way . Cheers ,, FD ,,,

 

[Rum Buddies]

quote: considering the price of fuel

Cost of fishing should have NO bearing on bag limits. If you don't live near the fishing grounds well tough luck. Life isn't fair and not everybody can live near their favorite fishing grounds.

If you are justifying your fishing trip by the dollar amount of fish you catch then you need stop and think if sportfishing is really for you.


I say 1 fish a day with an annual limit of 10-15 is more then enough. I've bonked three fish personally this year and I could make that last for the year. 10-15 fish would be a ridiculous amount of fish.

 

[searun]

I still stand by my earlier point and limits....not every angler has the resources or time when the weather cooperates to get out there and get a few fish. A total possession limit using a punch card system exactly like our Chinook punch card is the way to go. I'm also in favor of a Hali stamp so long as we can use the net proceeds towards purchase of unused commercial allocation - or towards halibut research and conservation programs. Bottom line is we all want fish for the future, so we need to limit our kill (both commercial and sport) to ensure there are fish for future generations. Take the high road, we are not buffalo hunters.

 

[Fishing Guide]

Quite the interesting topic and, with the wealth of experience exhibited within this site, worthy of serious consideration by all.

I believe in apportionament split 50/50 between commercial and recreational. I realize that the sports sector would not be able to utilize, especially initially, this porton but, we could lease back the surplus percent back to the commercial interests for market value. The funds would be utilized to service halibut support initiatives.

I cannot accept the idea of a purchased halibut tag (witness the complete lack of accountability on the funds collected from salmon tags). I currently pay a reasonable amount for my fishing licence and don't think adding a further fee will increase either the fishing opportunities nor enhancement by government or private identities.

I would be fine with a split season - 1 fish/day from March 1st - May 31 and 2 fish/day June 1st - October 15th. The early season would allow fresh fish while the larger second limit would support the many charters as well as the family pursuits who, spending great deals of money to travel to productive fishing grounds, an opportunity to their share of this valuable resource.

I could also accept a 20 fish/year limit. Certainly many would never consider this amount as necessary but, in contrast, some may wish to utilize this healthy protein more than others. Since it is not really a conservation issue but merely an apportionment issue, the larger limit causes me no concern.

Fishing Guide

 

[Sushihunter]

I'm sorry, but I'm having a problem watching everyone here being so willing to roll over to the wishes of the government and the commercial fishermen.

Remember, these fish belong to the citizens of Canada. They do not belong to the government, DFO or even the commercial fishermen. Is it not reasonable that we have access to those fish?

Am I supposed to tell my guests that they should have booked their fishing vacation in July or August instead of September/October because the Minister decided at the last moment that we went over our 12% cap?

Or the guy who came out in April, do I tell him he should have waited until July/August so he could take 2 Halibut instead of 1?

Almost all of my business is in July and August. I would love to push some of them into May and June, even early July instead of having to go non-stop for several weeks at a time. Having that split season prevents that.

Other than the diehards on this board, how many people really fish Halibut in the early season - February to May? Maybe we should reverse the split season - allow 2 per day until June 15 and only 1 afterwards until September 15 where it goes back to 2 again for the rest of the season.

We could twist the rules into all sorts of legal pretzels.

Our focus should be to get back the limits we have always had, not invent new rules and regs to destroy our sport. Some of these proposals might be a good Plan-B, but I don't think we are at that point yet. Remember, this is not about conservation. There are plenty of Halibut out there for everyone, this just happens to be a down year in Halibut, they are not going extinct.

Let the flame-wars begin...

Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250

 

[Little Hawk]

"Chicago in six!"

 

[wolf]

Agree with you 100% poppa swiss cost is not a factor as I have always stated (see my post on going hunting) it is called SPORT FISHING not catch fishing.
Sorry FD but lifes a ***** but if it costs you so much to go do it your probablly better off going to a local fish market then and buy halibut????
But if you like sport fishing then continue to do what you have already done and enjoy it for what you are doing.

The problem as I see it we can argue back and forth till we are all blue in the face and it doesnt matter, the old great GAIL SHEA has made up her mind and it is what it is the letter she wrote back to me was basically shut the f up sit and be quiet and quite bothering me with all these damn letters you keep writing!!!!!!!!

We all have good ideas but the bottom line is the government doesnt give a crap about us on the westcoast that was made quite clear.

One thing you really have to be concerned about is how they opened the halibut season they left it very vauge as to when they are going to close it and whats is the scariest is by this time last year they had posted it was going to go to 2 per day by june 1 and there is nothing??????I have a very bad feeling that more crap is on the way for the people who fish for them in jun to aug.

Be prepeared as me thinks there going to close alot arlier than last year be forwarned.

We need to keep up the fight as there is something brewing for may 8th to show the government we mean business!!!!!! so get your boats a trucks ready as its about time to call for arms.

Wolf

Blue Wolf Charters
www.bluewolfcharters.com

 

[scott craven]

Gov't will not change the 88/12 split, the people who own the commercial sector are too powerful.
These group's supply direct funding to the political parties
by way of large donations. ( we call it a bribe)
Might as well get used to it, or elect another government.

 

[drhook]

Wolf, Shushihunter, Chris 73, Fishing Guide - Your commments are right on the mark!!
Why are we always so ready to roll over and try to decrease our catch?
As noted, this has nothing whatsoever to do with conservation!!
I don't see the commercials trying to voluntarily decrease their catch or offer more money to the government!

 

[drhook]

Wolf, Shushihunter, Chris 73, Fishing Guide - Your commments are right on the mark!!
Why are we always so ready to roll over and try to decrease our catch?
As noted, this has nothing whatsoever to do with conservation!!
I don't see the commercials trying to voluntarily decrease their catch or offer more money to the government!

 

[Karma-Kazi]

I still dont see how guys get so many of these danm halibut, i have a hard time getting 1-2 a year out here in sooke. i must be doing somthing wrong because its not for lack of time spent on the water. Im starting to get bugged by these people on here talking about getting 20+ fish, and people releasing chickens that is a joke, if you catch a fish then eat the danm thing. Do you shoot a bull moose and go look and see its small and leave it. i know most chickens live but what about the ones that dont.

-Steve

 

[Karma-Kazi]

I still dont see how guys get so many of these danm halibut, i have a hard time getting 1-2 a year out here in sooke. i must be doing somthing wrong because its not for lack of time spent on the water. Im starting to get bugged by these people on here talking about getting 20+ fish, and people releasing chickens that is a joke, if you catch a fish then eat the danm thing. Do you shoot a bull moose and go look and see its small and leave it. i know most chickens live but what about the ones that dont.

-Steve

 

[bananas]

how many of those little winter springs do yo let go and don't lie,there's nothing wrong with releasing hallies they are on tuff fish alot tuffer than those little springs you let go.